I have never ridden a high end road bike
#101
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I'd describe the butthole as the guy who constantly passes you when going downhill because he's heavier, but that you keep on passing when climbing hills because he's unfit and inconsistent. This little game can last for a loooooooooong time and can become very annoying.
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You don't need a $10k+, carbon fiber, disc brake, e-shift bike to race. Thousands of amateurs race - and win - every weekend on bikes worth a fraction of that. Top racers aren't top racers because of the bike they ride. Top racers get to ride top bikes because they are top racers. Yes, some amateurs are fortunate to be able to spend a lot of money on their racing equipment. Some make do with what they can afford on more limited budgets.
You're guessing.
The UCI imposed a minimum weight limit when bikes under that limit were considered unsafe. Not long after that, pro teams were adding things like power meters to bring the bikes up to the weight limit, because top-level, standard-production bikes were easily and safely built to be under the limit.
Top level racers aren't buying their own bikes. As noted above, amateur racing can be done very successfully on less-than-premium equipment.
You're guessing.
You're making assumptions and speculations that aren't based on facts or experience.
You're guessing.
You said before...
This isn't just about competitive cyclists. In your own words, this is ANYONE who rides a CF bike. I know of dozens of examples from my own friends and acquaintances, as well as my personal experience, that provide contrary examples to your assumption.
One more time...you're guessing.
You're guessing.
The UCI imposed a minimum weight limit when bikes under that limit were considered unsafe. Not long after that, pro teams were adding things like power meters to bring the bikes up to the weight limit, because top-level, standard-production bikes were easily and safely built to be under the limit.
Top level racers aren't buying their own bikes. As noted above, amateur racing can be done very successfully on less-than-premium equipment.
You're guessing.
You're making assumptions and speculations that aren't based on facts or experience.
You're guessing.
You said before...
This isn't just about competitive cyclists. In your own words, this is ANYONE who rides a CF bike. I know of dozens of examples from my own friends and acquaintances, as well as my personal experience, that provide contrary examples to your assumption.
One more time...you're guessing.
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I'd describe the butthole as the guy who constantly passes you when going downhill because he's heavier, but that you keep on passing when climbing hills because he's unfit and inconsistent. This little game can last for a loooooooooong time and can become very annoying.
Last edited by tomato coupe; 09-07-23 at 01:50 PM. Reason: typo
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#104
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I'd describe the butthole as the guy who constantly passes you when going downhill because he's heavier, but that you keep on passing when climbing hills because he's unfit and inconsistent. This little game can last for a loooooooooong time and can become very annoying.
- Do you expect the heavier rider to ride the brakes downhill to allow the lighter rider to pull ahead and stay ahead?
- Do you expect the lighter rider to push a harder gear and go faster downhill to allow them to pull ahead and stay ahead?
Clearly you dont expect the 2nd option, since you are blaming the heavy rider for this 'problem'.
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I'd describe the butthole as the guy who constantly passes you when going downhill because he's heavier, but that you keep on passing when climbing hills because he's unfit and inconsistent. This little game can last for a loooooooooong time and can become very annoying.
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I'd describe the butthole as the guy who constantly passes you when going downhill because he's heavier, but that you keep on passing when climbing hills because he's unfit and inconsistent. This little game can last for a loooooooooong time and can become very annoying.
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Chris Horner was a top cyclist and now rides TI. He could ride what ever he wanted and explains this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7_N...2bVjpn&index=8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7_N...2bVjpn&index=8
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I would say it's fair play if the heavy guy can stay close enough on the climbs to get back in on the descents. Sounds like equal fitness to me. Like I weigh 85 kg at the moment at 6'1" and so if some 65 kg, 5' 5" dude is unable to drop me sufficiently on a climb to stop me hauling him back on the descent then tough.
#109
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I'd describe the butthole as the guy who constantly passes you when going downhill because he's heavier, but that you keep on passing when climbing hills because he's unfit and inconsistent. This little game can last for a loooooooooong time and can become very annoying.
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I've encountered this so many times over the years. Riding with "A" groups I am almost always the slowest climber so I typically red-line it on climbs to limit my losses. Then some of them want to neutralize any advantage I might get on the descents or flats. Of course this is after they had a nice rest waiting for me at the top.
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How do you propose this not happen?
- Do you expect the heavier rider to ride the brakes downhill to allow the lighter rider to pull ahead and stay ahead?
- Do you expect the lighter rider to push a harder gear and go faster downhill to allow them to pull ahead and stay ahead?
Clearly you dont expect the 2nd option, since you are blaming the heavy rider for this 'problem'.
- Do you expect the heavier rider to ride the brakes downhill to allow the lighter rider to pull ahead and stay ahead?
- Do you expect the lighter rider to push a harder gear and go faster downhill to allow them to pull ahead and stay ahead?
Clearly you dont expect the 2nd option, since you are blaming the heavy rider for this 'problem'.
I won't pass a rider in front on the flats if the terrain is going up in the near future. Otherwise, I might look like the rider you're describing. What's/who's really annoying though, are those whiny, scrawny, little climber types that want you to help them get down the road faster on the flats or in the wind, but want to drop you like a bad penny on the hills. I've had plenty of encounters with those A-holes.
I would say it's fair play if the heavy guy can stay close enough on the climbs to get back in on the descents. Sounds like equal fitness to me. Like I weigh 85 kg at the moment at 6'1" and so if some 65 kg, 5' 5" dude is unable to drop me sufficiently on a climb to stop me hauling him back on the descent then tough.
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Your post reads that because he's heavier, he must be unfit and inconsistent. That's how it reads.
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With regard to high end bikes, I have ridden with a road club of up to 500 members for 34 years and mixed in with many other riders and clubs during that time.
Most of them have had more expensive bikes than I have and many get new bikes fairly often. It's generally not about going faster, although that's what some people think. It's more about getting something they want and enjoy.
I've seen a lot of people buy lots of new bikes and it doesn't change who they are or they're place in the pecking order of club rides. Also have a friend who has won cat 2 races on an aluminum bike.
A friend who is pretty new to road bikes just got a new $14k bike. She can afford it, she wanted it, and she is becoming a better rider all the time. If I had the same income I would opt for something much less expensive but I don't begrudge anyone who buys something they want.
I was riding with a friend years ago and he told me he had just bought a new 911. Paid cash. Great! A nice man, generous, and when I see him (rarely) now it makes me happy.
Bicycling isn't expensive compared to some other things. Friends have had jet boats, drag cars, road race motorcycles, etc. I rode off road motorcycles for 10 years. I've semi-restored old cars. Had a divorce. Mid range road bikes ($5k?) are a pittance compared to these things. People pay $40-60k for daily driver cars, ffs.
Most of them have had more expensive bikes than I have and many get new bikes fairly often. It's generally not about going faster, although that's what some people think. It's more about getting something they want and enjoy.
I've seen a lot of people buy lots of new bikes and it doesn't change who they are or they're place in the pecking order of club rides. Also have a friend who has won cat 2 races on an aluminum bike.
A friend who is pretty new to road bikes just got a new $14k bike. She can afford it, she wanted it, and she is becoming a better rider all the time. If I had the same income I would opt for something much less expensive but I don't begrudge anyone who buys something they want.
I was riding with a friend years ago and he told me he had just bought a new 911. Paid cash. Great! A nice man, generous, and when I see him (rarely) now it makes me happy.
Bicycling isn't expensive compared to some other things. Friends have had jet boats, drag cars, road race motorcycles, etc. I rode off road motorcycles for 10 years. I've semi-restored old cars. Had a divorce. Mid range road bikes ($5k?) are a pittance compared to these things. People pay $40-60k for daily driver cars, ffs.
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#115
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If you can't drop an unfit and inconsistent rider, then that sounds like a you problem.
I am 6'5 220# and if I get dropped when climbing, there is almost 0 chance I make it up on the other side of the hill. Everyone that climbs faster than me climbs faster than what I can offset on the downhill.
I really don't understand how you don't see the humor in your comment. You are upset that an unfit and inconsistent rider is able to keep up with you while not seeing what that says about you.
#116
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#117
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#119
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You don't need a $10k+, carbon fiber ...
Im pointing out that Horner goes TI rather than using a sponsored CF (this is in retirement)
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Horner has definitely had enough experience to know what he prefers, and now has the freedom to pick what he wants.
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It amazes me how people talk about how great new bicycle technology is and how much fun it is to ride ride one of those bikes. But give them the same bike with some E assist and suddenly it's blasphemy. A 13, or 8, or 3lb bike(if we ever get there) that shifts itself would be okay, but God forbid if we make that bike a little easier to pedal. What do you think the rest of the technology does?
I think back to those Trek? commercials a few years ago with Jon talking about "a little mo." Everyone's happy with a little more as long as it doesn't appear they're getting any help actually turning the pedals.
I think back to those Trek? commercials a few years ago with Jon talking about "a little mo." Everyone's happy with a little more as long as it doesn't appear they're getting any help actually turning the pedals.
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Regardless of their fitness level, larger riders will usually have higher terminal velocities on descents. Instead of asking those “unfit” heavier cyclists to ride their brakes, maybe you should use your superior fitness and outride them.
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Chris Horner was a top cyclist and now rides TI. He could ride what ever he wanted and explains this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7_N...2bVjpn&index=8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7_N...2bVjpn&index=8
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The guy likes titanium, so you know he’s going to have other weird cycling preferences. 😏
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